The quality was there, but buyers were quiet

MAGNIFICENT: Mogul Eucalypt was a surprise buy for Margaret and Rob Morrow of Booyong.

by Digby Hildreth

POCKETS seemed deep and arms short during the early stages of the 19th All Breeds Bulls and Females Sale in Casino on Saturday.

In contrast to last year, demand for white breeds was low, with 11 charolais and nine brahmans making up a proportion of the passed-in total of 32.

The clearance rate was down on last year too, 81% as opposed to 92% - which All Breeds Sale committee president Bruce Lyle said was a reflection of the bigger number on offer - more than 20 in 2016.

It was a different story with the black limousins and simmentals, where average prices were ahead, Bruce said, and with his own angus bulls.

His family business averaged $8200 for its 17 bulls, from "a solid sale right through the selection”, and the majority of them going to repeat buyers - and North Coast locals, from the Tweed to the Clarence.

One Lyle bull sold for $10,000 - one of a few sales at that level, the second highest in the sale.

An agent at the sale remarked how the good prices for angus reflected the good job that the Angus Society had done in promoting the breed, and the fact that angus weaner steers were selling at a premiun.

Top price on the day went to Warren and Robyn Bulmer's Weona Brangus Stud for Weona 3380, which fetched $12,500 from Brad Saunders of Pheasant Creek Brangus in Wowan, QLD, who will put it to his registered herd as a stud sire.

The day drew a huge crowd, about 350, making it the most well-attended event at the saleyards.

It was also a significant event for young people, Bruce said, both as observers and as participants, as shown by the success of Woodlawn College on the day. The 860kg school bull was brought to the sale by 15-year-old student Riley Wellman and sold for $7000 to Challambi Charolais Stud in Victoria, which had first viewed it at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

Not all the purchases were quite so premeditated.

Margaret and Robert Morrow of Alandale Farm in Booyong had come along to buy the blond simmental bull Jarravale Leopold, which they did. But coming into the yards they spotted the brahmans, which were "stunning”, Margaret said, although one stood out - the magnificent red Mogul Eucalypt.

When she approached the pen, Mogul walked over and presented himself to be rubbed. She was smitten.

"But I know this is a business decision and at only two-and-a-half he was much bigger than a lot of the bulls there, which showed he had been well looked after, and he's got a lot of leg under him.

"He ticks all the boxes: temperament, colour, breed and size.”

The Morrows will put him across their 30 hereford cows, looking for "that bos indicus vigour and quality of carcase”, Rob said.

The event is not for profit, and Bruce thanked the Richmond Valley Council, for making the yards available, and the council staff who volunteered.

Bruce and secretary Juanita Trustum presented $1500 cheques to Eric Box from the Casino Rescue Squad and John Bancroft from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.